The Ennie Awards, widely recognized as one of the top honors in the tabletop gaming world, have decided to ban entries utilizing generative AI. However, this change will take effect only after the current year’s awards have concluded. This decision, which they announced on Sunday, follows significant feedback from both fans and industry professionals within the tabletop role-playing community, largely voiced through social media. Yet, it’s important to note that products utilizing AI tools will still be eligible for the upcoming 2024-2025 awards cycle.
In a statement, the organization, independent of the EN World forums since 2019, unveiled, “Starting with the 2025-2026 submissions, the ENNIE Awards will no longer accept products that contain any form of generative AI or are crafted with the help of Large Language Models or similar technologies in content creation or editing.” They emphasized the need for creators to ensure their submissions are free from AI-generated content, aligning with their aim to honor the human creativity central to the TTRPG community. Due to practical limitations, they noted that they could not apply these rules retroactively to the 2024-2025 season.
The controversy surrounding generative AI in the tabletop industry stems partly from its significant environmental impact and its potential to misuse artist contributions without permission. The Ennie Awards, run entirely by volunteers, find themselves, much like other creative sectors, in a race to adapt to these powerful technologies, a sentiment echoed in their recent statement.
Reflecting on their organizational values, the Ennies’ team stated, “As a small, volunteer-driven entity, we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt when needed, recognizing the inherent challenges in our mission.”
